Once a teacher was asked, “What is the most important thing in life?” His response was interesting, “The most important thing in life is to make the most important thing, the most important thing”! Is it not prioritizing our priorities?
All of us have our priorities, though they change according to each individual and their situation. Our priorities reveal our values and determine our lifestyle and success. Many troubles and failures stem from misplaced priorities.
This is true in our spiritual life also. However, there is a difference. In Christian life there is only one thing to do irrespective of the person or situation; that is, to make God and His purposes as our chief goal.
Notice few scripture passages:
Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Luke 10:42: “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
Matthew 10:37: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”
Normal Christian Life
True Christian life is not just a religious life of convenience but a life of commitment. It is impossible to lead a smooth and successful Christian life without being consecrated to God and His will. It seems many gradually forget that at the time of conversion they had not only confessed their sins, but also had acknowledged Christ as their Lord. (Romans 10:9).
In other words, we have made a covenant to yield ourselves to Christ as our Master. Yet, do we really give the Lord Jesus Christ the supreme place in all our thoughts, words and deeds?
Often it is because of our half-hearted lukewarm lifestyle, we fail to enjoy the true blessings of Christian life. From Matthew 6: 25 onwards Christ was talking about the worry-free, satisfied life of His followers.
However, this is possible only when one makes God and His kingdom as a priority. The Lord’s promise is if we wholeheartedly seek God and His will more than anything else, everything will fall in line. (Matthew 6: 33)
Results of Failure
Likewise, the reason behind the irritation and murmuring of Martha was her misplaced priority. Martha’s concern to feed the Lord and His people were commendable indeed, yet it should not have been at the expense of hearing God’s word. Sitting quietly at His presence and listening to Him would have given her all the needed grace for that occasion. (Luke 10:38 – 42)
One of the failures of the Pharisees of Christ’s time was also their confused priorities. They emphasised insignificant, external things but neglected valuable things of eternal value. Reputation was everything for them, not character. Popularity, pomp, position, prominence, etc., were their main concern, but they were least bothered about a life of love, mercy and honesty. (Luke 11: 42, 43; Micah 6:7, 8)
Examine the stories of any failure in biblical history or church history; they all begin with a change of focus. The moment God becomes secondary in our life; our purpose in life becomes something else. God’s word, His people, and the assembly gatherings, etc., become optional. Senses of morality, justice, honesty, holiness and humility, etc., become blurred.
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Out line:-
Leader’s Priorities, Exodus 18: 19 - 21
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Stand before God, V. 19
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Teach the law V. 20
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Appoint able men, v. 21, 22
Anecdote: -
What Matters the Most
During the early days of the Salvation Army, William Booth and his associates were bitterly attacked in the press by religious leaders and government leaders alike.
Whenever his son, Bramwell, showed Booth a newspaper attack, the General would reply, "Bramwell, fifty years hence it will matter very little indeed how these people treated us; it will matter a great deal how we dealt with the work of God."
— Warren W. Wiersbe
Tribute: -
LIFE IS NOT MEASURED BY THE YEARS WE LIVED.
By Bro.Tom Johns, USA
My older brother John Kurien [Joychayan] died in 1956. He was the middle child of T. K. John & Rachel John. Our family, known to be of Thaiparampil, lived in Narakathany and attended the Brethren assembly at Ezhumattor. He was only 7 years old and died of a heart disease that was not properly diagnosed or treated even though he was taken to Madurai General Hospital, one of the best hospitals available.
Yet he died in a few days and only our mother and her nephew Bro M E Cherian [MEC] and a few other brethren were there for the funeral. No other family members were present due to communication delays and travel difficulties of those days. His grave remains unmarked in the Madurai assembly cemetery and his body is waiting for the sound of the trumpet.
I was just five years old, and my brother John Mathew [Valiachachen] was ten when Joychayan passed away. A few months later our parents gave to MEC a small amount to start something special in the memory of Joychayan. This gift served as the seed money for the very first SBS camp at Kallissery. We are amazed to see how God had blessed this ministry and how it still influences the lives of many people…...->>>More
Worthy Quotes:-
priorities
“My order of priorities reflects the level of my commitment to Christ. Whoever or whatever is in first place, if it isn't the Lord Jesus, is in the wrong place”.
__________ Charles R. Swindoll
“Contented Christians are people with priorities, and material things are not high on their priority lists.”
__________ Warren W. Wiersbee
“Authentic Christian living has its own order of priority in our lives: God first, others second, self third”.
__________ Billy Graham
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